Signs

Signs

Road Sign

Signs are important fixtures that help advance roadway safety every day throughout the United States. Today, a variety of symbols, shapes and colors are used to convey messages to users on and around the roadways. Signs types include traffic, roadway, warning, railroad, guide, recreational, temporary, regulatory, pedestrian and bicycle.


There are many benefits to using symbols, which include immediate communication with all roadway users and their ability to break language barriers. Colors can communicate approaching scenarios such as using orange to indicate an upcoming work zone or red for an upcoming stop or yielding point. A number of shapes are also used to indicate oncoming situations or to provide roadway users with information such as octagons for stop and long horizontal, rectangular signs displaying guidance information.


Today, traffic signs are being looped into the world of autonomous driving technology. Research efforts are being made to equip traffic signs with technology, like embedded machine-readable codes, to allow them to communicate with Connected Automated Vehicles (CAVs) and other mapping devices.


ATSSA has dedicated group of members on its Sign Committee (member login required), who work to:

  • Enhance members’ businesses by increasing their understanding of traffic control devices on private property,
  • Influence the present and future direction of Minimum Retroreflectivity Standards,
  • Inform and educate roadway safety industry members on sign industry-related matters,
  • Provide knowledge and education about signing retroreflectivity,
  • Work to have dedicated funds identified and available for sign management systems and the implementation of upgraded programs to conform with MRS,
  • Monitor and influence the development of a new MUTCD chapter on changeable message signs, and
  • Improve upon and solicit greater committee member participation in Sign Committee meetings and on task forces, including recruitment of new committee members.

Resources

Pam
/ Categories: ATSSA, Autonomous Vehicles, Connected Vehicles, FHWA, Government, Innovation, Transportation, Tech and Innovation

FHWA extends comment time for MUTCD NPA

New deadline is May 14

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has extended the time for public comment to May 14 for the first comprehensive update to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways (MUTCD) in more than a decade.

The document opened for public comment on Dec. 14 as originally reported here and was originally to allow comments through March 15.

The Notice of Proposed Amendments for the 11th edition of the MUTCD contains more than 600 proposed changes, according to a statement from the FHWA.

“The extension is based on concern expressed by a number of stakeholders that, as a result of the scope and complexity of the NPA, the March 15, 2021, closing date does not provide sufficient time to review and provide comprehensive comments,” FHWA said in announcing the deadline extension. “The FHWA recognizes that others interested in commenting may have similar concerns and agrees that the comment period should be extended. Therefore, the closing date for comments is changed to May 14, 2021, which will provide stakeholders and others interested in commenting additional time to discuss, evaluate, and submit responses to the docket.”

ATSSA Vice President of Education and Technical Services Donna Clark said she appreciated FHWA's decision.

“The last manual was published in 2009 and there have been extensive changes since then so it is important that we, as an industry, have sufficient time to review the proposed changes and comment accordingly,” Clark said. “We greatly appreciate FHWA’s willingness to extend the deadline to May 14th and we look forward to working with the ATSSA technical committees to formulate our comments.”

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Tags: FHWA MUTCD NPA
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